The phrase “two thousand-yard stare” dates back at least to World War II. In that conflict, it was a slang term used by members of the US military to describe the appearance of troops who suffered mental injuries in combat or who were mentally overwhelmed by their experiences.

Why do soldiers get 1000 yard stare?

The thousand-yard stare or two-thousand-yard stare is a phrase often used to describe the blank, unfocused gaze of combatants who have become emotionally detached from the horrors around them. It is also sometimes used more generally to describe the look of dissociation among victims of other types of trauma.

What does a thousand mile stare mean?

US. A vacant or unfocused gaze into the distance; = "thousand-yard stare".